Cigarette trap



Sept. 6, 1955 J. s. KEEFE 2,716,987

CIGARETTE TRAP Filed Jan. 11, 1954 INVENTOR. a /V 5' M57 4" United States Patent CEGARETTE TRAP John S. Keefe, Brooklyn, N. Application January 11, 1954, Serial No. 403,261

Claims. (l 131--237) This invention relates to ash trays and more particularly to a device incorporated thereon which will pre vent burning cigarettes from causing damage and fires.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device adapted to be incorporated on an ash tray which will convert the heat from the cigarette into movement of a bimetallic element which will actuate a trap which will snuff the cigarette.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device of the above type which will prevent burning cigarettes from rolling out of ash trays and causing damage and fires.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a device of the above type which is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, has a minimum number of parts, is easy to use and efficient in operation.

For other objects and a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1 and showing the parts in assembled relationship;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a partial plan view of the device.

Referring now to the figures, represents an ash tray having a peripheral wall 11 provided with one or more grooved portions 12 adapted to support thereon a cigarette 13. The grooved portion 12 is recessed at 14 and receives therein a plate 15 having an upper surface 16 conforming to the contour of the groove 12 and being formed at the bottom with a cylindrical opening 17 having at its center an internally threaded opening 18. A stud 20 is screwed into the opening 18 and is provided at its upper end with a slot 21 which secures the inner end of a spiral bi-metallic thermal element 22, the element 22 being adapted to fit within the cylindrical opening 17. A radial plate 23 has an opening 24 on its inner end which receives the stud 20, the plate 23 being integrally formed with a finger 25 terminating in a vertical lug 26 having an opening 27. The plate 23 at the outside thereof is also formed with a curved vertical guard 28 following the contour of the opening 17 (Fig. 4). The plate 15 is also formed at its inner end with a slot 29 which receives the finger 25 upon rotation of plate 23 about stud 20. The longitudinal upper edge of plate 15 at one side is provided with hinge elements 30 which receive therebetween the hinge element 31 integral with a cover plate 32, the cover plate 32 at one corner being formed with a twisted finger 33 pivotally connected to an arcuate arm 34 by means of pin 35. The other end of arm 34 is provided with an opening 36 by means of which it is pivotally connected to the lug 26 and the free end af the bimetallic element 22 to the medium of a pin 37.

In operation, the cover 32 is normally retained in the raised position of Fig. 2 and the plate 28 retained in the position of Fig. 4 by the normal position of the free end of element 22 at room temperature. When a cigarette is placed in groove 12 and rests upon the bi-metallic element 22, the burning end thereof as it burns outwardly contacts the bi-metallic element and causes the latter to expand. This expansion causes the plate to rotate and carrying with it the guard 28 to the posi tion of Fig. 3 where the lighted end of the cigarette 13 is closed off. This same expanding motion causes the cover 32 to move to the closed position of Fig. 3. Thus, the cigarette is sealed off from oxygen as it is squeezed between the plate 32 and the bi-metallic element 22 causing the cigarette to become extinguished and preventing damage and fires.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be Within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus set forth and disclosed invention, what is claimed is:

1. An ash tray having a peripheral wall provided with a cigarette receiving groove, a spiral bi-metallic element disposed at the base of the groove, said element having its inner end fixed therewithin and its outer end adapted for movement, a cover plate pivotally connected at one side of said groove and adapted to move downwardly on to a cigarette disposed therewith, means interconnecting the free end of said bi-metallic element and said cover whereby to lower the cover as a cigarette burns on the said bi-metallic element, and end plate means in operative engagement with said free bi-metallic element end adapted to close off the inner end of the groove.

2. In a device according to claim 1, a plate, the cigarette receiving groove having a recessed portion adapted to receive the plate, the latter conforming to the curvature of the groove, said plate having a bottom opening adapted to receive the bi-metallic element therewithin, the inner end of said element being fixedly mounted at the center of said opening, said cover being pivotally connected to the plate at one side thereof.

3. In a device according to claim 2, said end plate means comprising a radial plate rotatably mounted at the center of said opening, a radial finger formed on said end plate means terminating adjacent the free end of said bi-metallic element, said end plate means having an arcuate vertical wall located at the outer end thereof conforming to the contour of said opening, said plate providing a slot adapted to receive said finger.

4. In a device according to claim 3, said finger at the outer end thereof having an upstanding lug, an arcuate link, said link at one end being pivotally connected to said cover plate, and means pivotally connecting the other end of said arcuate link, said lug and the free end of said bi-metallic element.

5. In a device according to claim 4, an upstanding post adapted to be mounted at the center of said bottom opening, said post at its upper end having a slot, the inner end of said bi-metallic element being adapted to be secured within said slot, said radial plate being rotatably mounted on said post below said bi-metallic element.

the nature of my References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,005,606 Wall June 18, 1935 2,322,604 Van Nostrand June 22, 1943 2,597,413 Wall May 20, 1952 

